Thursday, July 25, 2013

Boomerlit Bloghop, July 26

Today's excerpt is from Detour on Route 66, a short story scheduled to be released in early August.

Ben drove up the winding road to
Airport Mesa and parked in the lot. He took her hand and they followed the
other sightseers toward the overlook. They found a good viewing spot on the
edge of the crowd while the sun was still a few degrees above the rim.“Why were all those cars parked
halfway up the hill?” Ben asked. “I can’t think the sunset view would match the
one from the top.”“That’s a trailhead and a vortex
site. It’s very popular.”“I see. So what is your take on
this vortex phenomenon?”Marsha looked toward the people
below, scattered over the flat surface of a large rock. “I think it’s people
trying to come up with a pseudo-scientific way of explaining simple emotions.
All the supposed vortex sites are places of special beauty. When you stand or
sit in those places and really give yourself time to absorb the peace and
splendor of that spot, of course you experience something special. I think
vortex is just another name for joy.”Ben looked at her thoughtfully.
“You’re a joyful kind of person, aren’t you?”Marsha raised her eyebrows.
“Actually, I’ve been more of a mournful kind of person lately.”“That’s understandable. You’ve been grieving. What I
mean is some people are natural critics; they find fault with everything.
You’re just the opposite. You see the good things: the humor in life, the
beauty in tiny wildflowers, the joy in your surroundings.”